Find and replace across files in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature helps you quickly find specific text or elements in multiple Figma files and replace them all at once. It saves time when you need to update names, labels, or styles across many designs.

When you want to update a brand name used in several design files.

When you need to change a color code or style name across multiple projects.

When you want to fix a typo that appears in many files.

When you want to replace placeholder text with final content in all your designs.

When you want to standardize component names across different files.

Steps

Step 1: Open the Figma desktop app or web app

- Figma home screen

You see your list of recent files and projects

Step 2: Click on the search bar at the top

- Figma main toolbar

A search panel opens allowing you to search across files

Step 3: Type the text you want to find

- Search input field

Figma shows a list of all instances of that text across your files

Step 4: Click the 'Replace' button next to the search input

- Search panel

A replace input field appears below the search input

Step 5: Type the replacement text

- Replace input field

You prepare to replace all found instances with this new text

Step 6: Click 'Replace All'

- Search panel

All instances of the found text across your files are replaced with the new text

Step 7: Review the changes in your files

- Each affected file

You see the updated text or elements reflecting your replacements

Before vs After

Before

The text 'OldBrand' appears in 5 different files in titles and labels

After

The text 'OldBrand' is replaced with 'NewBrand' in all 5 files automatically

Settings Reference

Search scope

📍 Search panel dropdown

Choose where to search and replace text

Default: Current file

Match case

📍 Search panel checkbox

Search text with exact uppercase and lowercase matching

Default: Off

Match whole word

📍 Search panel checkbox

Search only whole words, not parts of words

Default: Off

Common Mistakes

Replacing text without checking the search scope

You might replace text only in the current file when you wanted to update all files

Always verify and set the search scope to 'All files in project' or 'All files in team' if needed

Not using 'Match case' when needed

You might miss replacing text that has different capitalization

Enable 'Match case' if you want to replace text exactly as typed

Summary

Find and replace across files lets you update text or elements in many Figma files quickly.

Set the correct search scope to control where replacements happen.

Use match case and whole word options to refine your search and avoid mistakes.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Find and Replace across files in Figma?

easy

A. It creates new files automatically.

B. It updates multiple files at once, saving time.

C. It deletes unused files from the project.

D. It exports files to different formats.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of find and replace

   Find and replace across files is designed to update content in many files simultaneously.

2. Step 2: Identify the main benefit

   By updating many files at once, it saves time compared to editing files one by one.

3. Final Answer:

   It updates multiple files at once, saving time. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Benefit = Saves time by updating many files [OK]

Hint: Remember: It saves time by changing many files at once [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it creates or deletes files
• Confusing it with export features
• Assuming it only works in one file

2. Which of the following is the correct way to start a find and replace across files operation in Figma?

easy

A. Click on the 'Prototype' tab.

B. Right-click on a file and select 'Export'.

C. Open the file menu and choose 'New File'.

D. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F or Cmd + Shift + F.

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the shortcut for find and replace across files

   In Figma, the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + F (Mac) opens the find and replace across files dialog.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Exporting, creating new files, or prototype tab do not start find and replace.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F or Cmd + Shift + F. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Shortcut = Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + F [OK]

Hint: Use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + F to open find and replace across files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing export with find and replace
• Looking in the prototype tab
• Trying to create a new file instead

3. You want to replace the color named 'Primary Blue' with 'Secondary Green' across all your Figma files. After running find and replace, what will happen?

medium

A. Only the current file's 'Primary Blue' colors will change.

B. Nothing will change until you manually edit each file.

C. All files in your project will update 'Primary Blue' to 'Secondary Green'.

D. The colors will be replaced only in selected frames.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the scope of find and replace across files

   This feature updates the specified item in all files within the project or workspace, not just one file or frame.

2. Step 2: Apply to the color replacement scenario

   Replacing 'Primary Blue' with 'Secondary Green' will update all instances across all files automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   All files in your project will update 'Primary Blue' to 'Secondary Green'. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Scope = All files updated [OK]

Hint: Find and replace across files updates all files, not just one [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it only affects current file
• Assuming manual edits are still needed
• Believing it only works on selected frames

4. You tried to replace a style name across files but the changes did not apply. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. All of the above.

B. The style name was misspelled in the find box.

C. You do not have permission to edit those files.

D. You forgot to preview and confirm the changes before applying.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check common reasons for no changes

   Not confirming changes, misspelling the style name, or lacking permissions can all cause no updates.

2. Step 2: Combine all possible causes

   Since all these reasons can prevent changes, the correct answer includes all.

3. Final Answer:

   All of the above. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Reasons combined = All of the above [OK]

Hint: Always preview, check spelling, and permissions before replacing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring permission issues
• Skipping preview confirmation
• Overlooking typos in find text

5. You want to replace the text 'Q2 Report' with 'Q3 Report' across multiple Figma files but only in files created after January 2024. How can you achieve this?

hard

A. Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date.

B. Manually open each file and replace text one by one.

C. Use find and replace across files and filter files by date before applying.

D. Export files, edit text in a text editor, then re-import.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if find and replace supports filtering

   Figma's find and replace across files does not currently support filtering files by properties like creation date.

2. Step 2: Alternative methods

   Since filtering by date is not supported, manual replacement or other workflows are needed.

3. Final Answer:

   Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No filtering support = Find and replace across files does not support filtering by file date. [OK]

Hint: Find and replace across files cannot filter files by date [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming filtering is possible
• Trying manual replacement for many files
• Using export-import instead of built-in tools